Sqwá First Nation
LANDS OFFICE
Sqwá First Nation
became operational under Land Code on February 2, 2024.
In-Person
Online
By Mail
Welcome to
LAND CODE!
We are pleased to announce that the
Sqwá (Skwah) First Nation Land Code vote
was ratified by the community on
November 16th and 17th, 2023
and will become operational on
February 2, 2024
The land code is a land law developed by our First Nation that, if approved by our voting members, will remove the power the federal government currently has to make decisions on our reserve lands and place it back in the hands of our people.
This website is dedicated to sharing important information about the Sqwá First Nation Land Code and the details of its vote with our members.
VIDEO:
The benefits of First Nation Land Governance
Chairman of the Land Advisory Board, Chief Robert Louie speaking to the many achievements of First Nations who have regained jurisdiction over their lands through Land Code.
Foundations of Land Code
The Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management is an historic, First Nation developed and led, government-to-government agreement signed on February 12, 1996 between the original 13 First Nations signatories, and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
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It is an initiative developed by these First Nations to opt out of the 44 lands related sections of the Indian Act. The Framework Agreement recognizes First Nations’ inherent right to govern their reserve lands.
Through our Land Code SFN will ratify the Framework Agreement and resume the governance of our reserve lands.
Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management
Click on the links below
for more information
Land Decolonized
Podcast Series
Click here to Listen
Land Decolonized - A podcast series launched in November 2020 that explores the practical side of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.
The unscripted conversations cover the challenges overcome and benefits achieved by First Nations that sought to re-established governance over their reserve lands through land code.
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Environmental Protection
Learn more about our Land Code!
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Land Code enables First Nation powers to enact environmental laws dealing with environmental assessment and protection
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The federal government is responsible for any existing environmental problems on a reserve before the Land Code takes effect, and is liable for any of its actions that may have caused the problem
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Before bringing a reserve under its Land Code, a First Nation is entitled to full disclosure on any environmental problem from Canada
What is the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management?
The Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management (Framework Agreement) is a government-to- government agreement signed on February 12, 1996 by 13 First Nations and Canada. In the last 25 years there has been tremendous uptake by First Nations across the country. As of August 2023 there are 209 First Nation signatories to the Framework Agreement. Sqwá First Nation is one of these signatories!
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The Framework Agreement is a First Nation developed and driven initiative that enables First Nation communities to opt out of the land management sections of the Indian Act and take over responsibility for the management and control of their reserve lands and resources. The Framework Agreement sets out the principal components of this new land management process.
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The Framework Agreement provides signatory First Nations with the option to manage their reserve lands under their own Land Codes. Until each of these First Nation communities develops and approves a Land Code to take control of their reserve lands and resources, federal administration of their reserve lands continues under the Indian Act.
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The Framework Agreement is not a treaty and does not affect treaty rights or other constitutional rights of the First Nations.
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Have questions about the Framework Agreement? Contact us!
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Sqwá First Nation MEMBERSHIP
Please update your contact information (below) so that you can receive updates and important information on the Sqwá First Nation Land Code and vote as we move along in this process.
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If you have any questions, please contact us. We'll get in touch with you as soon as we can!
